Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Large c. 19th Century Antique Meiji Period Japanese Kyo Satsuma Vase Lamp
Located in Louisville, KY
This mid 19th century Japanese Meiji Period Kyo Satsuma Vase Lamp is a truly phenomenal piece of art. With multiple scenes that include Japanese figures in ceremonial costumes in var...
Bronze
Vintage Closionne Vase Mounted As A Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Vintage cloisonné vase mounted as a lamp with dual pull chain operation, mounted on a conforming wooden base. The vase decorated with arched for...
Metal
Pair 19th Century Japanese Kutani Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese Kutani vases / lamps. Each with classical motif decoration, exotic flowers and bird decoration and handles either side. ...
Porcelain
19th Century Satsuma Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century (Meiji period 1868-1912) Japanese satsuma vase or lamp. Having classical gilded decoration of flowers, birds and scholars. Mounted on a fretted ormol...
Porcelain
Mid Century Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as Lamp. Measures 8 " in width, 8 " in depth and 18.5" height
Enamel, Brass
Japanese Silver Wire Cloisonne Vase Lamp, Meiji Period, c 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A vibrant Japanese turquoise ground and silver wire cloisonne vase, now mounted as a lamp, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The tall vase of elegant rouleau shape, with a straight neck and body, slightly tapered food, and everted mouth. Crafted in the cloisonne technique upon a copper ground, the silver wires stand out and shimmer against the bright turquoise enamel ground. An ebullient design of blossoming peony (botanical) and morning glory (asago) graces the body of the vase. The large and heavy blooms of white peony especially striking and contrasting nicely with the more delicate and almost shy pastel morning glory blossoms hiding behind the large leaves. The cloisonne enamels especially well done within the silver cloisons, with the leaves and flowers displaying masterful shading. The foot decorated with a geometric and floral border. The vase drilled and wired and now mounted as a lamp. Set upon two wood bases. The actual lamp of brass plate, set with a single socket and tall, adjustable harp. The lamp is topped by an antique 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty tumble polished natural rock crystal. The crystal finial originally served as a Chinese Mandarin hat finial...
Rock Crystal, Silver, Brass, Copper
Pair Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Cloisonné enamel vases, each having a Grey colour ground with wonderful Herons perched on trees with flowers and foliage arou...
Enamel
Rare Pair of Cloisonné Vases Mounted as Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A Billy Haines style pair of late 19th or early 20th century cloisonné vases loose mounted on newly painted wooden plinths and French wired with new sockets. Very Hollywood Regency, ...
Metal
Chinese Famille Rose Vase Mounted as a Lamp
Located in Norton, MA
Chinese Famille Rose Vase Mounted as a Lamp Total Height: 24.5" Vase Height: 13"
Brass
Pair Chinese Mirror Black Vases Mounted as Lamps
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good pair of Chinese Mirror Black Porcelain Vases that have been fitted as lamps. The black vases have been paired with gilt bronze stands and covers and with the high...
Brass, Bronze
Chinese Porcelain Monochrome Vase Mounted as a Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Of archaistic form with brown craquelure overall and broad matte band with low relief decoration; mounted on a turned giltwood base and fitted with gold-lacquered brass adjustable ro...
Brass
A Pair of Antique Japanese Satsuma Vase Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a pair of antique Japanese Satsuma vases converted into electric lamps. The vases are decorated with intricate overglaze enamel and gilt details, a characteristic of Sats...
Ceramic, Wood
Meiji Period Satsuma Pottery Table Lamp, Hand-Painted, 1890-1910
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Fine Meiji Period Japanese Satsuma Pottery Table Lamp An exceptionally vibrant and finely decorated Japanese Satsuma pottery vase, dating from the late Meiji period (circa 1890–191...
Brass
Pair Japanese Imari Vases / Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of 19th century Japanese Imari facetted vases / lamps, each with classical floral and motif decoration, raised on wonderful French gilded ormolu oriental sty...
Porcelain
Early Nineteenth Century Imari Lamp
Located in London, England
A large scale Imari vase now converted to a lamp of very good quality , decorated with bucolic scenes. Early Nineteenth Century, Imari H 43.5 cms x W 25cms
Porcelain, Giltwood
Pair Of Large Edo Period Japanese Bronze Candlesticks Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A pair of large early 19th C. Japanese bronze candlesticks. Heavily patinated with remnants of wax due to hundreds of years of use. Simple shapely design.
Bronze
Sold
H 16.74 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Antique Vintage Japanese Chinese Imari Porcelain Ormolu Table Lamp Blue Gilt Edo
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An imposing and stunning single traditional Japanese Imari waisted form hand painted porcelain vase of tall slender proportions. First half of the Eighteenth century, Edo Period. T...
Ormolu
Japanese Edo Period Imari Porcelain Vase and Table Lamp, circa 1700
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A late 17th, early 18th century Japanese Edo period Imari porcelain vase or jar of hexagonal baluster form having underglaze blue and overgla...
Brass
Japanese Edo Period Imari Porcelain Vase and Table Lamp, circa 1700
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A late 17th, early 18th century Japanese Edo period Imari porcelain vase or jar of hexagonal baluster form having underglaze blue and overgla...
Brass
Antique Japanese Fukagawa Imari Porcelain Signed Vase Lamp
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Imari lamp in lobed form with good quality painting from the Fukagawa factory, circa mid-late 19th century. Measures: 20" high, 6" diameter...
Porcelain